I recently decided to install linux on my Surface Go, I like the tablet as it is a small but really capable machine, and its architecture, x86_64, means I can run the vast majority of software.
Windows 10 was really slow and as I use the tablet primarly for reading documents, I didn’t have any particular reason to keep windows 10, also the tablet cannot be upgraded to windows 11.
I decided to support one of my favorites Linux Distros and bought the Pro version of Zorin Os 16.
Wifi & Bluetooth
Wifi didn’t worked right out of the box, so I followed these instructions. I had to copy the file manually on another computer and transfer it by USB. Once in the Surface I replaced the original file located in /usr/lib/firmware/ath10k/QCA6174/hw3.0/board-2.bin
Cameras
Neither the cameras work out of a fresh installation, both of them are not usable. However there are instruction on how to gather some images compiling libcamera and some other instructions but since I really don’t use the cameras, I decided to leave those as they are.
Screen
Screen worked really well, multiple zoom options and multiple resolutions available, the touchscreen worked as well. No other commands needed.
Battery
Linux does consume a more battery power than Windows. however installing some utilities such as tlp and cpufreq I managed to get similar time for battery life for linux, however it does vary sometimes as much as an hour, depending on the use of the tablet.
Pictures
